• Applications open for Stagecoach East Scotland apprenticeship scheme
• Three spaces available on Bus Engineers' Apprenticeship Programme

Stagecoach East Scotland is inviting budding engineers to apply for a place on this year’s apprenticeship scheme.

The company is offering places on its Bus Engineers’ programme at depots in Perth, Glenrothes and Methil. The course begins in September/ October each year and applications are now being accepted.

The company’s Bus Engineers' Apprenticeship Programme will help to recruit and train the people who are responsible for maintaining East Scotland fleet of 480 buses and coaches. The posts are critical to the reliable and safe operation of passenger services across Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perthshire.

Each programme is four years long with the first three years spent on the job learning in the depot with an allocated mentor to offer help and guidance. It includes attending a specialist training facility in Glasgow on a block release basis. The fourth year of the programme has been specially designed by Stagecoach UK Bus to consolidate technical skills already obtained and is certificated by the Institute of the Motor Industry.

Upon completion of training, successful applicants will be awarded a Modern Apprenticeship in Bus and Coach Engineering Maintenance and will have the opportunity to become a member of the Society of Operations Engineers.

Stagecoach East Scotland has run the apprenticeship programme for over 30 years and as a result has trained more than 100 apprentices. Dave Simpson, one successful graduate of the scheme, was invited to join the team on completion of his course in 2011. Dave, 27 said:

"When I finished school I left with very little qualifications, Engineering was never something I had thought about, but I tried further education in sports coaching and it wasn't for me so I told myself getting a trade was a must - engineering was my preferred choice over becoming a plumber, electrician or joiner. I was lucky enough to secure an apprenticeship in 2007 at Stagecoach in Perth.

"Initially I was worried about how the rest of the workforce would appreciate someone with no industry knowledge, however I was given a mentor to work with on a daily basis along with others in the workshop, management and the college, so it wasn't long before I was picking things up and gaining invaluable experience.

"Through the apprenticeship I made friends from all over Britain that I still keep in touch with to this day and thanks to the support from Stagecoach I have managed to work my way up the ranks to my current position of Engineering Manager running Glenrothes Depot.

"Stagecoach offer the best apprenticeship programme I have seen to date and with hard work and an open mind, progression is always a possibility."

Stagecoach East Scotland Engineering Director Dave Stewart said: Dave Simpson is a fantastic success story and a great advocate for our apprenticeship programme. He has worked hard to reach his current managerial position and taken every opportunity offered to him. He now has a great career ahead of him and we’re proud that he’s part of the Stagecoach family.”

Dave Stewart continued said: “We offer one of the best apprenticeship schemes in the bus industry and it is critical to the future success of our company. It’s comprehensive content means at the end of four years we have a highly skilled – and qualified – next generation of engineering talent.

“Across the Group, there are many former apprentices who now hold senior positions. In fact 3 of our current Engineering Managers in East Scotland, Dave Simpson, Michael Clark and Chris Medine all started out as apprentices. I can say without reservation that this scheme definitely works.”

Stagecoach UK Bus considers all applications regardless of age. The only requirement is that applicants have GCSE grade A - C or 4 and above or Standard Grade 1 - 3 / National 4 or 5 or equivalent in English Language, Maths and a Science.

Anyone wanting to apply for one of the 3 spaces available in East Scotland should visit the Stagecoach UK Bus dedicated recruitment site.